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September 12, 2020

Instant Pot Spaghetti And Meatballs In A Creamy Garlic And Herb Sauce

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Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs is an easy and delicious dinner your family will love this weekend!  With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up this flavor packed dish in under 10 minutes.  

This Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs was created almost out of accident.  Like many of you, we’ve been cooking with only pantry essentials.  So, when the boys said they were in the mood for spaghetti and meatballs, I figured this was a good change for us to put a little twist on this classic dish.  

While we made this with thin spaghetti noodles, this dish would be wonderful with any pasta of your choice.  And, it’s so simple and quick to make up for your entire family. Simply adjust the cook time based on your pasta of choice.  

In our house, it’s hard to get the boys to ‘love’ a recipe, but I was so pleased with their reaction.  This has become a new family loved spaghetti recipe and they’ve already requested it twice in the last week. I can almost guarantee your family will love it, too! It’s pure comfort food. 

If you have been following the blog for any time, you know we really love recipes that are versatile.  This spaghetti and meatball recipe is absolutely one of those!  It’s super easy and quick. 

The real hero of this dish is the creamy garlic and herb pasta sauce. It’s definitely become one of our favorite recipes!

What’s great about this easy Instant Pot spaghetti is you can change it up so many different ways.  For examples, if you’d love to add some veggies definitely do so.  This would be delicious with tomatoes, peas, spinach, broccoli, green and red peppers, fresh basil and more.  

Similarly, if you’re in the mood for a different type of meat, change it out.  If you don’t have or like meatballs, you can also use Italian sausage.  Prefer chicken sausage?  Go for it!  Only have linked sausage?  Add that instead!  It truly is a pasta dish you can make your own and still have it be incredibly delicious!

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Now, let’s get to the good stuff – the details on how to make this crowd pleasing, easy Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs!

Also, if you’re looking for a few other delicious pressure cooker recipes to try this week, here are a few of my favorites: 

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TIPS FOR MAKING CREAMY GARLIC AND HERB PASTA: 

  1. When you add the pasta, break the spaghetti in half over and towards the pot.  This will allow all of the extra little bits of pasta that snap off will go right into the pot.
  2. When adding the pasta to the pot, be sure to add in layers by making a criss-cross design.  This will help avoid the pasta from clumping together.
  3. As noted below, I used pre-made store bought meatballs for ease.  You can also use frozen meatballs, too.  If you do you can either 1). thaw them beforehand or 2). place them in Instant Pot and cook them on saute with some water to help them thaw first. I have done both with different recipes and they both work well. 
  4. If for some reason you find your pasta is not cooked fully, once you add any additional ingredients and continue to stir, it will cook more and should be good.
  5. I always get questions around where to find Boursin Garlic and Herb cheese.  It can be located at almost every grocery store in the specialty section.  I have been able to find at almost all grocery stores including Target, Walmart, Whole Foods and more.  

 

TIPS FOR COOKING INSTANT POT PASTA

If you choose to cook this spaghetti and meatball recipe with a different type of pasta, be sure to note this tip. 

When cooking Instant Pot recipes with pasta feel free to choose any pasta shell you might prefer (penne pasta, bowtie, messi rigitoni).  Regardless of which pasta you choose, be sure to follow the cooking times indicated on the box of your pasta choice.  The general rule of thumb is whatever the box says – cut it in half and subtract 2 minutes.

For example, if the box says to cook for 10 minutes, you will cut that in half (5) and subtract 2.  All together you would cook for 3 minutes.  

We like our pasta a tad bit al dente, but if for any reason you don’t feel as though your pasta is cooked enough, you can always place the lid back on your Instant Pot and pressure cook again for 0 minutes.  That should do the trick!

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INGREDIENTS FOR INSTANT POT SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS: 

  • 12-15 spicy Italian meatballs (I used pre-made store bought meatballs for easy found in the produce section of my grocery.  Feel free to also use homemade meatballs, Italian sausage, turkey meatballs and more, if prefered).
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil 
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic 
  • 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 pound thin spaghetti 
  • 3 cups chicken broth (you can also use water or beef broth, if needed)
  • 1/2 cup butter 
  • 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning 
  • 1 tablespoon garlic pepper
  • 1 5.2 ounce Boursin Garlic & Fine Herb
  • 1/4 cup half and half
  • 1/4 cup shredded or freshly grated Parmesan cheese (set aside some as a garnish) 
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Garnish with fresh basil (optional)

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HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS:

  1. Turn your Instant Pot on and select the ‘Saute’ function.  
  2. Add olive oil and meatballs and saute until slightly browned on each side.  You do not need to cook fully as they will continue to cook during the pressure cooking phase.  
  3. Add onions and continue to saute for an additional 2-3 minutes until fragrant. 
  4. Once the meatballs are slightly browned on each side, add chicken broth, butter, Italian seasoning, spaghetti noodles and garlic pepper.  Note: when adding the spaghetti noodles, be sure to add them to the pot in a criss-cross design in order to ensure the noodles do not stick together.  
  5. Carefully secure the lid onto your Instant Pot and select the ‘Pressure Cook’ function on high. Cook for 3 minutes.  
  6. Once the timer beeps, allow to naturally release for 3 minutes then quick release all remaining pressure. Carefully remove the lid.  
  7. Give all of the ingredients a quick stir to mix and break up the pasta.  NOTE: It may not look as though some of the pasta is cooked.  That is ok.  It will continue to cook together over the remaining few minutes in the pot.  You can also place the lid back onto the pot and pressure cook for 0 minutes, if needed.   
  8. Add in block of Boursin, half and half and Parmesan cheese and mix until well combined. 
  9. Serve hot and enjoy!

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Instant Pot Creamy Garlic and Herb Pasta

4.72 from 7 votes
SERVES/MAKES: 6 people
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 12-15 Italian meatballs (Iused pre-made meatballs for easy found in the produce section of my grocery)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 pound spaghetti noodles
  • 3 cups chicken broth (youcan also use water),reserve 1/2 cup for after cooking
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon garlic pepper
  • 1 5.2 ounce Boursin Garlic & Fine Herb Cheese
  • 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (setaside some as a garnish) 

Instructions:

  • Turn your Instant Pot on and select the ‘Saute’ function.  
  • Add olive oil and meatballs and saute until slightly browned on each side.  You do not need to cook fully as they will continue to cook during the pressure cooking phase.  
  • Once the meatballs are slightly browned on each side, add chicken broth, butter, Italian seasoning, spaghetti, minced garlic, noodles and garlic pepper.  Note: when adding the spaghetti noodles, be sure to add them to the pot in a criss-cross design in order to ensure the noodles do not stick together.  
  • Carefully secure the lid onto your Instant Pot and select the 'Pressure Cook' function on high. Cook for 3 minutes.  
  • Once the timer beeps, all pressure to naturally release for 3 minutes then quick release all remaining pressure.   
  • Give all of the ingredients a quick stir to mix and break up the pasta.  NOTE: It may not look as though some of the pasta is cooked.  That is ok.  It will continue to cook together over the remaining few minutes in the pot.  You can also place the lid back onto the pot and pressure cook for 0 minutes, if needed.   
  • Add in block of Boursin and Parmesan cheese and mix until well combined.  NOTE: if you need or want the pasta to be a bit more creamy, add in the extra chicken broth reserve until you have reached your desired consistency.
  • Top with any Parmesan cheese and serve. 
  • Enjoy!

Tips / Notes:

TIPS FOR MAKING CREAMY GARLIC AND HERB PASTA: 
  1. When you add the pasta, break it in half over and towards the pot.  This will allow and of the extra little bits of pasta that snap off will go right into the pot.
  2. When adding the pasta to the pot, be sure to add in layers by making a criss-cross design.  This will help avoid the pasta from clumping together.
  3. As noted below, I used pre-made meatballs for ease.  You can also use frozen meatballs, too.  If you do you can either 1). thaw them beforehand or 2). place them in Instant Pot and cook them on saute with some water to help them thaw first. I have done both with different recipes and they both work well. 
  4. If for some reason you find your pasta is not cooked fully, once you add any additional ingredients and continue to stir, it will cook more and should be good.
  5. I always get questions around where to find Boursin Garlic and Herb cheese.  It can be located at almost every grocery store in the specialty section.  I have been able to find at almost all grocery stores including Target, Walmart, Whole Foods and more.  

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  1. I’m a bit confused, part of blog says to cook for 3 min and natural release for 3 min total of 6 min, but the actual recipe does not state the 3 min natural release. Also the recipe calls for minced garlic but never mentions when to add it ??? Please verify.

    • Hi Todd – Thank you so much for bringing this to my attention! I am so sorry for the mix-up! I have correct for you.

    • Hello! You most certainly could double, absolutely! You do not need to adjust the cook time either. I would just make sure the spaghetti is layered well so it doesn’t clump together for you. I hope you enjoy!